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Iowa Learning Farms, Practical Farmers of Iowa Cover Crop Field Day Near Malcom

AMES, Iowa — Iowa Learning Farms and Practical Farmers of Iowa will co-sponsor a cover crop field day at the Joe Kriegel farm near Malcom, Iowa, on Tuesday, March 27, beginning at 11 a.m. The field day will begin with a cover crop management discussion followed by a complimentary lunch catered by Dayton Meat Products. The event is free and the public is invited to attend.

The cover crop management discussion will include yield response of corn and soybeans following fall-seeded rye and other cereal grains, planter set-up for planting into cover crop residue, and soil quality improvements related to cover crop use. Attendees will be able to discuss cover crop issues with Kriegel and Sarah Carlson with Practical Farmers of Iowa as well as local Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) staff.

Practical Farmers of Iowa (PFI) and Iowa Learning Farms (ILF) have formed a cover crop management group with 12 farmer cooperators across the state demonstrating various cover crops and growing techniques.

The field day site is located at 1243 440th Ave., Malcom, Iowa. From Interstate 80, take exit 191 south on Highway 63 for 2.5 miles, then east on 440th Ave. 0.4 miles to grain bins on the north side of the road. From Montezuma, the site is 5 miles north on Highway 63 to 440th Ave.

About Practical Farmers of Iowa

Founded in 1985, Practical Farmers of Iowa is an open, supportive and diverse organization of farmers and friends of farmers, advancing profitable, ecologically sound and community-enhancing approaches to agriculture through farmer-to-farmer networking, farmer-led investigation and information sharing. Farmers in the network produce corn, soybeans, beef cattle, hay, fruits and vegetables, and more. For additional information, call 515.232.5661 or visit www.practicalfarmers.org.

About Iowa Learning Farms

Iowa Learning Farms is building a Culture of Conservation, encouraging adoption of residue management and conservation practices. Farmers, researchers and ILF team members are working together to identify and implement the best in-field management practices that increase water and soil quality while remaining profitable. Iowa Learning Farms is a partnership between the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture, Iowa Natural Resources Conservation Service and Iowa Department of Natural Resources (USEPA section 319); in cooperation with Conservation Districts of Iowa, the Iowa Farm Bureau and the Iowa Water Center. For more information about Iowa Learning Farms, visit www.extension.iastate.edu/ilf.